June 1, 2021
2:00 - 3:15 PM/MST | 3:00 - 4:15 PM/CST
This panel presentation will address the impact of trauma on students as a mental and behavioral health concern. In the past year, schools have reported an increasing numbers of students experiencing heightened levels of stress and anxiety due to COVID-19 and increased levels of violence.
In many schools, staff do not know how to respond to questions from their students about the uncertainty and violence they see, hear about, or experience; and they often struggle with their own emotions when these questions arise. This panel will highlight regional and national experts who address this topic daily. By presenting their work and highlighting the innovative approaches and best practices they use, attendees will leave with a better understanding of the impact of trauma and how to talk to young people about uncertainty, trauma, and violence while processing their own emotions.
Traci Pole
Traci Pole serves as the Assistant Regional Administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the Denver Regional Office. In this role she supports Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 33 Federally Recognized Tribes with behavioral health efforts across the age continuum. Prior to joining SAMHSA in 2019, Traci spent 15 years working for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) leading efforts in public health prevention, healthcare preparedness, reproductive health, and positive youth development.
Wendy L. Price, Psy.D., NCSP
Dr. Price completed her doctorate in School Psychology at William James College, following a year-long clinical internship at Walden Behavioral Care (a residential eating disorders clinic). For the past 20 years, Dr. Price has worked as a school psychologist at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School, in Whitman, MA. Dr. Price has been involved in leadership at both the state and national level, and is currently the NASP President 2020-2021.
Kate Ellesworth, Ph.D.
Kate Ellesworth, Ph.D., is the Director of Education Initiatives for The Center for Resilience and Well-being in Schools (CRWS) at The Institute of Behavioral Sciences, the University of Colorado at Boulder. Before joining CRWS, she was the Executive Director of a network of public and private schools developed to serve under-resourced neighborhoods across South Carolina and the founder of a progressive elementary school in Charleston, SC. Kate has taught at the College of Charleston, the University of Pittsburgh, and Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Ellesworth received her BA from Harvard University, her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Teaching from Columbia, Teachers College, and her Ph.D. in Instruction and Learning from the University of Pittsburgh.
Stefanie Winfield, MSW
Stefanie Winfield is the School Mental Health Coordinator for the Mountain Plains MHTTC and a Research and Technical Assistance Associate with the WICHE Behavioral Health Program. As the school mental health lead, her work focuses on providing intensive technical assistance and training to educators, teachers administrators and all school staff on ways to improve and enhance school mental health. Stefanie has extensive experience working in schools promoting youth sexual health, conflict and anger management, behavioral health education, and school-based health care. With over 20 years of experience working with nonprofits and community organizations, Stefanie has done everything from grant management and implementation, to program and outcome evaluation, training and facilitation.
